June 5, 2018 Editor: Wang Yue

Jiangsu is striving to build a welcoming environment for international students, a goal confirmed once again at the NAFSA 2018 Annual Conference and Expo in Philadelphia, the United States, held from May 27 to June 1.

An eastern China province with strong economic and educational strength, Jiangsu made its third voyage to the Western coast, eager to share its core values of international education and to introduce and promote its higher education to the world stage.

Han Xiaojie, deputy head of the division for international cooperation and exchange at the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, led the delegation, which consisted of 18 representatives from nine local universities.

According to Han, Jiangsu's educational strength is prominent – being home to 167 universities and colleges, carrying out much get-to-the-point training, and having cultivated numerous professionals who've proved competent in the job market.

The province, through an outgoing education philosophy, has for years seen itself carrying out the largest number of joint educational projects and ranking the third most popular study destination for international students, following closely after Beijing and Shanghai.

"With regard to Jiangsu's academic and research quality, as the Thomson Reuters data said this January, 109 disciplines offered by 23 Jiangsu universities have been ranked among the top 1 percent in ESI (Essential Science Indicators)," Han said.

"Fifteen local universities included in China's 'Double First-class' plan last year are aiming to develop themselves into world-class centers of higher education," she added.

Zhou Yan, deputy secretary-general of the China Education Association for International Exchange, a nation-wide not-for-profit organization with specialties in international educational exchanges and cooperation, was with the delegation.

She sincerely hoped that through the NAFSA conference Jiangsu universities will get to know more people, embrace the broader international arena, and foster new partnerships.

"We also hope that overseas educational institutions will deepen their understanding of Jiangsu and its universities," Zhou said.